Wing Johnny McNicholl bagged a hat-trick of tries, but it was some old heads closer to the action who made the difference for the Crusaders during their 40-15 win over the Hurricanes in Levin.

The Hurricanes had dominated the first half of the two sides' final Super Rugby pre-season match, but they fell away after coach Mark Hammett emptied his bench after the break.

The entry of All Blacks captain Richie McCaw, lock Sam Whitelock and experienced halfback Andy Ellis after the break had the opposite effect on the visitors.

No 8 Jordan Taufua also made a strong impact with two tries.

The Hurricanes won't be too downcast after dominating possession during the first half and looking impressive in scoring three tries to Beauden Barrett, Marty Banks and Ben Franks before Hammett rang the changes.

Hammett will be less pleased with the way his lineout misfired in the second 40 minutes and how some soft tries allowed the margin to blow out in front of about 5000 fans.

McCaw was full of running, stealing a lineout with his first touch and carrying the ball strongly, while Whitelock was, as always, a nuisance to the opposition and Ellis was crisp around the rucks.

For the Hurricanes Barrett was physical and precise at first five-eighth and Hadleigh Parkes solid outside him.

Lock Mark Abbott had an impressive first half, Banks produced some nice touches at fullback, while loose forwards Jack Lam and Faifili Levave put in some solid tackles.

The Hurricanes dominated the first half playing into a stiff breeze and led 15-14 at the break.

Barrett opened the scoring when he intercepted a pass to run 70 metres to the try line.

Hurricanes wing Alapati Leiua returned the favour when he threw a careless pass from just outside his 22m for McNicholl to jog in for the Crusaders' first try.

Tom Taylor's conversion gave the visitor's a 7-5 lead after 22 minutes, but it proved shortlived.

Crusaders prop Wyatt Crockett was sinbinned, somewhat harshly, for a tip tackle on Leiua after 25 minutes and Banks scored shortly after when he shot onto a Barrett pass to make it 10-7.

Colin Slade subbed off on the half-hour mark and Tyler Bleyendaal timed his entry to perfection when he went blind from a midfield scrum from which McNicholl got his brace.

The Hurricanes defence played its part with Parkes a tad slow across to cover Ryan Crotty and Leiua coming off his line to allow McNicholl a relatively easy finish.